Artificial limb cushioning pad



June l,

1965 B. E. MILLER ARTIFICIAL LIMB CUSHIONING PAD Filed July 11, 1962 Barr/m E Mil/er INVENTOR.

United States Patent O ARTIFICIAL LIME CUSHIONING PAD Bertha E. Miller', 6111/2. 3rd Ave., Sterling, Ill. VFiled July 11, 1962, Ser. N0. 209,072 1 Claim. (Cl. 3-19) The present invention relates, broadly speaking, to rehabilitation of orthopedically disabled persons, an amputee, for example, and more particularly to such appliances as artificial limbs, through the medium of which the user may obtain the maximum use from the disabled portion or portions of his body.

In this particular eld of endeavor every reasonable effort is put forth by the prosthetist or orthotist to make reasonably sure that a given appliance will meet the individual needs of the patient. Even so many dillieulties and discomforts are nevertheless encountered by the wearer of the appliance. Even though the appliance may be geared to the needs, preferences and abilities of the individual wearer the fact remains that where the terminal of the stump or stub has movable and frictiongenerating contact with the coacting limb part attending perspiration and irritation result in soreness and great discomfort. Repeated experience has shown that even with a well fitted artificial leg the wearer encounters periods when he can barely walk because of painful discomfort. Indeed it is not uncommon for the wearer to be a victim of corns and callouses which become so irksome and painful that use of the appliance on the stump is virtually prohibited.

The problem posed appears not to be capable of a Wholly accepted solution. However, it is an objective in the instant approach toward a solution to provide a simple, practical and effective pad, a pad which is such in construction that it may be interposed between the terminal of the stump and the opposed surface (usually the bottom of the socket receiving the stump) in a manner to cope with the situation as eiiicaciously as reasonably possible.-

In carrying out the invention it is an aim to put up a half dozen or a dozen pads in a box or package and makes them readily available to prospective users. Each pad is such that it may be readily inserted at the bottom of the socket so as to rest atop the rigid bottom wall, said pad to be sized for the particular user requiring it and being effective in that it embodies several laminations one of which is a cushion.

Further novelty is predicted on a laminated insertable and removable artificial limb pad wherein the bottom lamination is of adhesive media, the intermediate lamination of cushioning material and the top lamination of cotton or equavalent material having moisture absorbing properties, and which in addition provides a soft seating surface for the stump terminal.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in section and partly in elavation showing component portions of an artificial limb, showing the stump in position in the socket portion thereof and, what is more important, showing the improved comforting and friction-reducing pad in place;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side view showing a plurality of pads in stacked form in readiness for packaging and sale;

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FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective of a single pad with the bottom covering partly peeled olf to expose the adhesive media; and

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts or laminations which go to make up the improved pad.

The expression artificial limb or appliance is Ihere used in a broad and general sense and to enable the writer to present the description in a more readily understandable form. Whereas, for example, the appli, ance could be one involving the use of an arm stub, as distinguished from a leg stump, it will suice here to recognize the artificial limb or appliance as generally denoted by the numeral 6. The wall portion 8 coacting with the comparatively rigid bottom wall or surface 10 defines a socket or a socket member into which the stump 12 (usually wrapped but not detailed) is fitted. The improved pad, which is adapted for placement in the socket between the tip or terminal of the stump and the rigid wall 10, is denoted as an entity by the numeral 14. It is preferably of laminated construction and generally circular in plan. The main or intermediate layer or lamination here comprises a circular relatively thick cushion 16 which may be made of suitable foam or sponge rubber. Its purpose is to provide the desired shock absorbing and cushioning properties. The top side of the cushioning pad is completely covered with the top lamination 18 which is made of cotton or cottonlike material and may even be raw cotton having the desired moisture and perspiration absorbing properties, This layer or lamination 18 is securely fastened atop the companion one 16. The bottom of the latter is provided with adhesive attaching means. This may be a third lamination of adhesive as at 20 a bottom side of which is provided with a peelable cover 22. The layer 20 may be separate and applied to the bottom surface 16 or the surface 16 may be coated and then the peelable cover sheet applied thereto. In any event the cover is peeled olf in the manner shown in FIG. 3 so that when the adhesive surface is applied to the surface of the wall 10 the pad as an entity will stay put. Without the adhesive it has been found that the cushioning material 10 tends to Wrinkle, get out of shape and perhaps even be displaced.

In actual practice it is contemplated putting up the pads in stack form and boxing same and providing suitable instructions so that the user will know that the cotton side lamination or layer 18 is placed upwardly to seat the stump 12, and to at the same time provide a clean and cool surface. The cushion 16 provides the desired end thrust pressure relief. The adhesive provides the desired anchorage and stay-put result.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the description in conjunction with the views of the drawing will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter of the invention, the features and advantages and method of using the same. Consequently, a more explicit description is regarded as unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

An orthopedic appliance embodying an artificial limb provided with a vertically elongated stump receiving and confining socket having a rigid closed bottom wall; and in combination with said articial limb, an end thrust compensating, friction minimizing, pain relieving cushion conformably lodged in said stump socket, covering said bottom wall and removable when its pupose -has been served; the improvement being in said cushion which comprises a circular compressibly resilient pad having planar parallel top and bottom surfaces, said pad being of uniform cross-sectional thickness throughout, a layer of moisture absorbing cotton of the same shape affixed to the top surface of said pad, and ad- 4 hesive media covering the bottom surface and retentively but removably securing the pad in place.

References Cited by the Examiner 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,366,027 1/21 Savastano 3-19 2,284,164 5/42 Porter 12S-622 2,578,019 12/5'1 Ryan 3-19 2,696,011 12/54 Galdik 3-17 1 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. 

